Well drilling rotary



March 21. 1933. H. e. JOHNSTON 1.9020

WELL DRILLING ROTARY Filed Oct. 24. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l Jmltoc March 21, 1933. H. G. JOHNSTON 3 WELL DRILLING ROTARY Filed Oct. 24, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Horace 6 Jam/fan 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 24, 1930 Patented Mar. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES HORACE G. JOHSTON, OF OOBSIOANA, TEXAS WELL DRILLING ROTARY Application filed October 24, 1980. Serial No. 490,948.

cal advanta es making for simplicity, ac-

' struction.

A particular object of the invention is to p cessibility, durability and economy in conmount the driving gear, together with its bearings, shaft and pinion, on a separate and distinct base which may be secured to the same skids upon which the bed plate of the rotary is mounted, but which may be readily removed from said skids without disturbing the rotary or its bed plate, so as to remove the driving gear and Withdraw the pinion from the ring gear.

A further object of the invention is to provide rigidly connected and aligned bearing supports integral with a common base,

whereby the drive shaft may be supported in true axial alignment and may be driven from a .point between its bearings with a minimum vibration and without the necessity of adjusting the hearings to assure alignment.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention;

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a well drilling rotary constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4'is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a partial plan view of the bowl and roller bearing member.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates one longitudinalj-skid and 11 the other longitudinal skid. It is preferable to make these skids of metal channels with their open sides inward,, and also to equip the same with interior vertical braces 12. However, the skids are subject to variation and could be otherwise constructed.

A bed late 13 is fastened upon the skids by bolts I'Zand nuts 15. In order to accommodate the bolts the skids are provided with pockets 16 receivin the heads of the bolts. The bed plate constitutes a connecting means for the skids and'supports the rotary table. The bed plate 13 is set back from the right hand ends of the skids and only occupies a portion of their lengths.

A circular bowl 17 is formed integral with the bed plate and rises therefrom, said plate forming the bottom of the bowl. The bowl is formed with an annular trough 18 at its bottom and is curved outwardly and upward- 1y therefrom. The trough is further defined by an upstanding inner annular flange 19. Within the trough 18 an annular bearing ring 20 is snugly fitted and is provided with an inclined race 21 for receiving frusto-conical bearing rollers 22.

The rollers 22 engage the race 23 of an inverted complementary bearing ring 24. The upper bearing ring supports a circular rotary table 25. e As is shown in Figure 3, the table has an annular central opening 26, the lower portion of which is surrounded by a depending annular flange 27 which has a turning fit in the flange 19 and extends through an opening 28 in the bed plate 13. A retaining ring- 29 is fastened on the bottom of the flan e 27 and bears against the underside of the (1 plate for preventing up- Ward displacement of the table; however, no

claim is made to this ring as it is in common use in the art.

Immediately above the flange 27 the table is formed with an integral collar 30, which latter is surrounded by the upper bearing ring 24. The bearing rin has a tight fit on this collar and the table 1s shouldered immediately above the rin so as to firmly rest thereon. Above the s oulder the table extends outwardly so as to provide an annular seat 31 in which a ring gear 32 is tightly fitted. The ring gear overhangs the curved portion of the bowl 17, so that oil dripping from the ring gear will be conducted to the bearing rollers 22, thereby lubricating the same. The table is formed with a depending annular lip 33 overhanging the upper edge of the bowl 17 so as to cover the same and to exclude extraneous matter from entering the bowl as well as preventing oil from escaping therefrom. It will be seen that the structure is very simple and sturdy.

A sump or basin 34 is formed integral with the bowl and bed plate between the skids on the left hand side of the rotary table. An arch 35 integral with the bed plate and bowl, as is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, bridges over the sump and has a curved channel 36 in which the lip 33 travels, as is shown in Figure 3. Upright flanges 37 extend from each side of the arch and are flush with the outer side thereof.

A base plate 38 is fastened on the skids by bolts 39 and nuts 40, the bolts engaging in pockets 16 similar to theipockets 16. At its inner side the base has an upright transverse flange 41 which abuts the arch 35 and the flanges 37, thus forming a closure for the sump 34 and the arch 35. Stud bolts 42 secured in the arch and flanges 37 extend through the flange 41, and receive nuts 43, whereby the said flange is fastened in place.

The base plate is formed with a bridge 44 contiguous to the flange 41 and also with a bridge 45 at the outer side, whereby a gap is provided in the plate therebetween. The bridge 44 has a circular bearing housing 46 cast therein and this housing projects above and below the plane of the base plate and is also formed integral with the flange 41, as is shown in Figure 3. An outer bearing housing 47 is made integral with the outer bridge 45 and is aligned with the housing 46. The housings being integral with the base 38 and in alignment ofl'er a simple and substantial mounting for the drawingvgear.

A roller bearing member 48 is driven into the housing 47, while a similar bearing memher 49 is driven into the housing 46. A drive shaft 50 is journaled in these bearing members. Caps 51 fastened on each end of the housing 47 cover and protect the bearing member 48. A ratchet wheel 52 is ke ed on the outer end of the shaft and abuts t e outer cap 51. A guard 53 is secured on the extreme outer end of said shaft and the hub of the wheel telescopes thereinto.

The shaft passes through the caps 51 and also through a cap 54 on the outer end of the housing 46. On the inner end of the shaft a bevelled pinion 55 is keyed and this pinion is disposed in the sump 34in engagement with the bevelled gear ring 32. A flanged spacer 56 is fastened to the inner side of the flange41 and surrounds the shaft. The spacer snugly fits in the vertical opening formed by the sump 34 and the arch 35 and forms a closure therefor. A thrust washer 57 is interposed between the hub of the pinion and the spacer;

For driving the shaft 50 a sprocket wheel 58 is keyed on the shaft between the housings. A guard hood 59 hinged on the base plate 38 above the skid 11 rests upon the plate above the skid 10 on each side of a recess 60 formed in said plate and the skid'lO below for receiving the driving chain (not shown). Dogs 61 hinged at each end of the bridge 45 may be swung into engagement with the ratchet wheel, as is theusual practice. A plug 62 covers a duct 63 (dotted lines, Figure 1) leading to the sump 34 for supplying oil thereto.

It will be apparent that by removing the even when the plate is fastened in position.

The mounting of the shaft 50 is unique. At its inner end the shaft is reduced and shouldered for receiving a sleeve 49', which is shrunk or otherwise made fast upon the shaft. An extension sleeve 56 is also fastened on the shaft and extends throughthe spacer 56 to the pinion 55. The pinion abuts a shoulder 55' on the shaft.

A hearing sleeve 48' is suitably fastened on the shaft 50, which is reduced for this purpose and the sleeve engages in the bearing 48. l3y this arrangement the shaft is suitably journaled and the sleeves 48' and. 49' may be made of the proper material to receive the roller bearings. For lubricating the bearings 48 and 49, oil valves 64 are provided in the housing 46 and 47. It will. be seen that the shaft, while suitably journaled, is held against longitudinal displacement by the pinion 55 on one end and the ratchet wheel 52 on the other end.

The connection between the arch 35, with its flanges37 and the flange 41, is made oil tight so that oil deposited in the sump 34 by way of the duct 63 cannot escape. It is noted that there is no oil chamber under the shaft 50 and no lubrication of this shaft is possible by the oil in the sump 34. The pinion 55 revolving in the sump will pick up.

the oil and cast it upon the ring 32. en the ring 32 and table 25 are revolved by the pinion the surplus of oil will drip from the teeth of the ring gear and such drippings will be conducted by the curved sides of the bowl 17 to the bearing rollers 22, which will the different parts, as well as modifications and alterations, may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

aving illustrated and described a preferred form of the invention, what I claim, is:

1. In a well drilling rotary, a pair of skids a base plate mounted on said skids, a bed plate mounted on the skids, a bowl carried y the bed plate, a table rotatably mounted in the bowl a gear depending from the table within the w l, an 011 sump in the bowl, an arch spanning the sump and integral with the bowl, an upright flange carried by the base plate and detachably fastened to the arch and the sump, a spacer carried by the flange and forming a closure for the sump and arch, a pair of bearing housings mounted on the base plate, a drive shaft journalled in said housings and extending throu h the flanges and spacer into the sump, and a pinion on the shaft in the sump meshing withthe gear ring, the shaft, pinion, spacer, flange and housings being removable with the base plate as one unit.

2. In a well drilling rotary, a pair of skids a base plate mounted on said skids, a bed plate mounted on the y the bed plate, a table rotatably mounted in the bowl, a gear depending from the table within the bowl, an oil sump in the bowl, an arch spanning the sump and integral with the bowl, an upright flangecarried by the base plate and detachably fastened to the arch, and the sump, a. acer carried by the flange and formin a :lbsure for the sum and arch, a pair of arin S on the base plate, said tegrally connected and permanently ahgned with each other, a drive shaft journalled in said housings and extending through the flanges and spacer into the sum and a pinion on the shaft in the sump mes m with the gtlear ring, the shaft, pinion, spacer ange and ousings being removable with the base plate as one unit.

3. In a rotary, a base, a gear table, an annular gear carried by said table, a pinion meshing with said gear, a a pinion shaft extending thro said bearing housin a closure plate tween said pinion and ring housing, driving means mounted on said shaft, a bearing for the end of said shaft, means for lubricating the hearing housing and end bea g, and a housing for said gear and ini'on.

4. In a well dril tegrotary, a pair ofski a base plate moun on saidskids, a

late mounted on the skids, a bowl carried y the bed plate, a table rotatably mounted in the bowl a ar-de ding from-the table witllliin the bow ,han o sump in thelpogl, an arc anni tesum,anuri t a carri by tz e base pate and wfetacha bf; fastened to the 'arch and the sump, a spacer carried by the flange and forming a closure or the sump and arch, a pair of bearing housings mounte ousings being inskids, a bowl carried bearing housing,

housings mounted on the base plate a drive Shift journalled in said housings and ing throu h the flanges and acer into the sum an a pinion on the sha in the sump mes ing with the (pear ring, the shaft, pinion, spacer, flange an housings being removable with the base plate as one unit. 7 a

5. In a well drill rotary, a pair of ski a base plate moun on said skids, a

late mounted on the skids, a bowl carried y the bed plate, a table rotatably mounted in the bowl a gear depending from the table within the bowl an 011 sum in the bowl, an arch spanning the sum an connected with the bowl, an upright ange carried by the base plate and detachably fastened to the arch and the sump,,a spacer carried by the flange and formin a c osure for the and arch, a pair of aring housings moun on the base plate, a drive sha-ft journalled in said housings and extending through the flanges and spacer into the sum and a pinion on the shaft in the sump in mg with the gear ring, the shaft, pinion, spacer, flan and housings being removable with the base plate as one unit.

6. In a well drilling rotary a pair of skids, a base plate mounted on sa d skids, a

late mounted on the skids, a bowl carried by the bed plate an oil sum in the bowl, an arch spanning t e sum an connected with the bowl, an upright ange carried by the base plate and detachably fastened to the arch and the sump, a s acer carried by the flange and formin a c osure for the snap and arch, a pair of aring housings moun on the base plate, a drive shaft journalled in said housings and extending through the flanges and spacer into the sump, and a pinion on the shaft in the sump, the shaft, pinion, spacer, flan and housings being removable with the i ase plate as one unit.

In testimonlyi whereof I aflix iilflsi ature.

ORACE G. JQ N.

extenda 

